Date:            2023-March-29
Contact:      Cst. Nicole Braithwaite
Telephone:  604.925.7345 
    
Email:         [email protected]

West Vancouver - A house fire that yielded a large-scale drug manufacturing facility has successfully concluded with charges. 

Shortly after 4:30 am on Monday, March 7, 2022, officers were called to the 1300 blk of Crestwell Rd to assist West Vancouver Fire & Rescue who discovered large-scale drug manufacturing facility while working to contain the fire. 

Police obtained a search warrant. Sixteen kilograms of MDMA with a street value of approximately $630,000 were seized.

A male was found at the residence and taken into custody by police. On March 2, 2023, after a lengthy investigation, Gerald Yaremchuk, of Mission, BC was charged with 11 offences including eight counts of possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking, two counts of unlawfully possessing precursor chemicals and equipment needed for drug production, and one count of production of a controlled substance. 

“This was a yearlong investigation led by WVPD with the assistance of VPD and the RCMP. This investigation is a prime example of an effective multi-jurisdiction partnership.  Our detectives worked tirelessly on this case and we commend them for a job well done” says Cst. Nicole Braithwaite.

Forfeiture of the property, which has been assessed at over 4 million dollars, has been sought through the courts by BC Civil Forfeiture.